Applicator device



y 1961 w. E. BROWN EIAL 2,982,992

APPLICATOR DEVICE Filed Jan. 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 V\// 0/77 1F.Brown A ffiu/ Fo/ey 1 INVENTORS iew #M y 1961 w. E. BROWN ETAL 2,982,992

APPLICATOR DEVICE.

Filed Jan. 5, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l/V////0/77 E. firown flrf/u/r Fo/eyINVENTORJ ATTORNEKJ United States Patent- Office 2,982,992 Patented May9, 1961 APPLICATOR DEVICE William E. Brown, Houston, Tex., and Arthur J.Foley, Chicago, Ill., assignors, by mesne assignments, to ThermonManufacturing Company, a corporation of Texas Filed Jan. 5, 1959, Ser.No. 785,038

8 Claims. (Cl. 18-3.5)

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in applicatordevices.

An object of this invention is to provide a new and improved applicatordevice which is particularly suitable for rapidly applying a mass ofheat transfer material or other putty-like material to cover steamtracer lines, cooling coils, tubular type electrical heater lines, andsimilar elongate elements without forming air pockets or void spaces inthe material as it is applied.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedapplicator device for applying a puttylike material in a mass underpressure for covering various types of elements while moving theapplicator device rapidly relative to the element being covered.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedapplicator device wherein a putty-like material is applied through asurge chamber for evenly distributing such material under pressure sothat air spaces or voids in the applied, material are prevented and theexternal surface of the applied material is smooth and of uniformthickness.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improvedapparatus for applying a covering of puttylike material to an elongateelement which is positioned adjacent to a curved or flat surface whichis greater in width than said elongate element so that said apparatus isadapted to engage said surface for sliding movement relative theretowithout engaging said elongate element.

The preferred embodiment of this invention will be describedhereinafter, together with other features thereof, and additionalobjects will become evident from such description.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings.forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown,and wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation view, partly in section, illustrating thepreferred form of the device of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line 22 of Fig. l and illustrating alsoadjacent elongate elements which have been covered or are to be coveredin accordance with the use of the device of this invention;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, except that it shows a modifiedconstruction wherein the forming element is formed with flat sidesrather than being cylindrical as in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3, but it illustrates a furthermodification wherein the forming element is formed with two fiat sideswhich come together at a point; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but it illustrates the device ofthis invention in use wherein the elongate element being covered isadjacent to a curved or tubular surface.

In the drawings, the letter A designates generally the applicator deviceor apparatus of this invention which is adapted to apply a. putty-likematerial M such as a heat transfer material sold under the trademarkThermon to an elongate element E positioned on a surface P. As will beexplained in detail, the device or apparatus A of this invention isadapted to apply the material M to the elongate element E to cover sameby forcing the material M into a space S (Fig. 2) between the formingelement 10 of the apparatus or device A and the elongate element E asthe apparatus or device A is moved longitudinally with respect to theelongate element E.

The apparatus or device A of this invention includes a forming elementor member 10 which is arched so as to extend around the element E whichis being covered with the material M. The forming element 10 may bedescribed as U-shaped in all forms of the invention, although the U maybe varied so that it takes the shapes illustrated in Figs. 2-5 of thedrawings, as will be more fully explained. In the preferred form of theinvention, illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the formingelement 10 is substantially semi-cylindrical and the lower edges 10adefine an opening 10b therebetween which extends for the full length ofthe forming element 10. The radius of the semi-cylindrical formingelement 10 in Figs. 1 and 2 is greater than the diameter of the elongateelement which is being covered with the putty-like material M so thatthe space S between the forming element '10 and the elongate element Eis always provided. Stated differently, the height and the width of theforming element 10, as best seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings, are bothgreater than the height and width of the elongate element being coveredwith the putty-like material M.

A surge or reservoir chamber 12 is provided on the forming element 10 bywelding or otherwise aflixing the chamber 12 to the forming element 10.Of course, it is conceivable also that the forming element 10 could beformed integrally with the chamber 12. The forming element 10 forms thelower part of the chamber 12 so. as to completely close the chamber 12except for openings 10c which are provided in the portion of the formingelement 10 which is the bottom of the chamber 12. In the preferred formof the invention, the openings 10c are positioned on each. side of theuppermost or midpoint of the forming element 10 so that the formingmaterial M is initially directed to the sides and lower areas of theelongate element E to thereby remove any air or voids which mayotherwise form in such areas during the application of the material M tothe elongate element E, as will be more fully explained.

The chamber 12 has an upper nipple section 12a which has internalthreads 12b for threading engagement with a threaded pipe or tube 14having threads 14a thereon. The threaded pipe or tube 14 is directlyconnected with a source of the putty-like material M under pressure (notshown). The source of the putty-like material under pressure may be ahand gun or a piston and cylinder arrangement or a tank which issubjected to pneumatic pressure. In any event, the pipe or tube 14 leadsinto the interior of the chamber 12 for supplying the material M to theinterior of the chamber 12 under pressure so that such material M can bedischarged through the holes or openings to the space or area S betweenthe forming element 10 and the elongate element E.

It is to be noted that the lower edges 10a of the forming element 10 arein engagement with the surface P so that the material M which is forcedunder pressure through the openings 16c into the space S is confined bythe forming element 10 around the element E to cover the element Einsofar as it is out of contact with the surface P. It is also to benoted that since the lower edges 19a of the forming element 10 engagethe surface P and slide relative thereto during use, the upper or midportion of the forming element 10 is spaced well above the upper portionof the element E so that a mass of the putty-like material M is appliedto the upper portion and the sides of the element E insofar as theelement E is exposed and out of contact with the surface P.

To facilitate the movement of the apparatus or device A of thisinvention, such device A includes a handle 20 which may be formed ofwood or other material and which is secured to a handle shank 21 whichis welded at 22 to the forming element 10. The handle 20 is preferablysecured to the shank 21 with a nut 23 which is threaded on the threadedend 21a of the shank 21. The alignment of the handleZtl longitudinallywith the length of the forming element 19- facilitates the movement ofthe entire device or apparatus A longitudinally with respect to theelongate element. E.

In the use of the apparatus or device of this invention, the apparatus Ais positioned over the elongate element E which is to be covered withthe putty-like material M. The lower edges a of the forming element 10engage the surface P in sliding contact therewith as the apparatus A ismoved relative to the elongate element E. Under normal circumstances,the elongate element E is a steam tracer line, a cooling coil, a tubulartype electrical heater line or similar tracer element in which it isdesired to transfer heat with the fluid flowing in the element E. Thematerial M is also preferably a heat transfer material such as thematerial sold under the trademark Thermon so that the objective inapplying the material M is to completely enclose or cover the element Eto improve the heat transfer between the fluid or liquid flowing in theelement E and the fluid or liquid which is confined by the tank or pipe,the surface of which is designated by the letter P in the drawings.

Therefore, it is important to apply the material M in a mass around theelement E without forming any voids or air pockets in the material M asit is applied. Any voids or air pockets which are formed in the materialM as it is applied reduces the heat transfer value of the material.

With the device or apparatus A of this invention, the heat transfermaterial M or other material in a putty-like form is applied to theelement E to cover same very rapidly and without the forming of voids orair pockets in the material M as it is applied to the element E. In Fig.2, several stages in the use of the apparatus or device A of thisinvention are illustrated. At the left hand side of Fig. 2, a portion ofthe element E is illustrated as having the material M already formedthereon. The central figure in Fig. 2 wherein the apparatus A is alsoillustrated, shows the stage of use wherein the material M is beingapplied to cover the element E, or the portion thereof which is belowthe forming element 10 at that particular time. The element E which isshown at the right in Fig. 2 is shown to illustrate the appearance ofthe element E on the surface P prior to the application of the materialM thereto.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified form of the apparatus A of this inventionand such modified form is identified in Fig. 3 with the designation A1.All of the parts of the apparatus or device A-l are identical with theparts of the apparatus or device A in Figs. 1 and 2, except that theshape of the forming element lit) is modified as compared to the shapeof the forming element 10. The forming element 110 may be said to beU-shaped, but the sides thereof are fiat as distinguished from thecurved sides illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. Although the flat-sidedU-shaped forming element 110 could be utilized with various types ofelongate elements E, normally the shape illustrated for the formingelement 110 would be utilized with tracer element which are alsorectangular or square in shape. The same material M would be appliedfrom the chamber 12 and it would be supplied under pressure through theinlet pipe or tube 14.

In Fig. 4 a further modified form of the invention is shown, but theback sides of the device is illustrated as compared to the front side inFigs. 2 and 3. The position of the handle 20 in Fig. 4 will make thedifference in position of the device shown in Fig. 4 as compared toFigs. 2 and 3 evident. The forming element 210 in the device A-Z of Fig.4 is formed with converging sides which come to a point at the uppermostor mid-portion so as to form an angular member which in the broad sensemay still be considered a U-shaped member, although because of the factthat the sides come to a point, it is actually a V-shaped member. In anyevent, the device or apparatus A2 is used in the same manner asexplained in connection with Figs. 1 and 2 for applying a covering orcoating of the material M to an elongate element E which is positionedadjacent to a surface P of a tank, pipe or similar structure.

Fig. 5 is identical in all respects with the form of the invention shownin Figs. 1 and 2, and only the shape of the surface P has been modifiedto make it clear that the invention is not limited to the application ofthe material M to an element E located on a flat surface. In otherwords, in Fig. 5, the surface P is curved and could be the surface of apipe, housing or other curved member which would be contacted by thelower edges 10a of the forming element 10 in the same manner as suchedges contact the flat surface P illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.Therefore, it will be evident that the use of the form of the inventionillustrated in Fig. 5 would be identical to that explained previously inconnection with Figs. 1 and 2.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention isillustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size,shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustratedconstruction, may be made within the scope of the appended claimswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An applicator device for applying a covering of putty-like materialto an elongate element which is positioned adjacent a flat or curvedsurface, comprising a forming element adapted to be positioned over aportion of said elongate element with a space therebetween, a surgechamber mounted on said forming element, means establishingcommunication from said surge chamber to said forming element, and meansfor connecting a source of said putty-like material under pressuretosaid surge chamber to force said material into said space as saidelement is moved longitudinally relative to said elongate element, saidforming element being arched around said elongate element and spacedtherefrom, said forming element having a greater height and width thansaid elongate element so that a mass of said material is applied oversaid elongate element to cover the portion thereof which is out ofcontact with said surface, and said means establishing communicationincluding a hole on each side of said forming element below themid-point thereof for directing said putty-like material to the sides ofsaid elongate element first whereby the tendency to trap air in pocketsis eliminated.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said forming element issubstantially semi-cylindrical.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein the midportion of saidforming element is pointed to correspond with a V-shape.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1, wherein said forming element isformed with flat sides so that the forming element is a flat-sidedU-shape.

5. An applicator device for applying a covering of putty-like materialto an elongate element which is positioned adjacent a flat or curvedsurface, comprising a forming element adapted to be positioned over aportion of said elongate element with a space therebetween, a surgechamber mounted on said forming element, said surge chamber having aninlet thereto, means establishing communication from said surge chamberto said forming element, means for connecting a source of saidputty-like material under pressure to said inlet of said surge chamberto force said material into said space as said element is movedlongitudinally relative to said elongate element, said meansestablishing communication including a hole on each side of said formingelement below the midpoint thereof for directing said putty-likematerial to the sides of said elongate element first whereby thetendency to trap air in pockets is eliminated, and each of said holes onsaid forming element being laterally offset with respect to the axis ofsaid inlet to said surge chamber whereby said material is directed fromsaid inlet into said surge chamber in a direction which is offset fromsaid holes.

6. An applicator device for applying a covering of putty-like materialto an elongate element which is positioned adjacent a flat or curvedsurface, comprising a forming element adapted to be positioned over aportion of said elongate element with a space therebetween, said formingelement being substantially U-shaped with the edges adjacent the openportion thereof being disposed for engagement with said surface, andsaid forming element having a greater height and width than saidelongate element so that a mass of said material is applied over saidelongate element to cover the portion thereof which is out of contactwith said surface, a surge chamber mounted on said forming element, asource means for urging said putty-like material into said surgechamber, said surge chamber having an inlet thereto for receiving saidputty-like material from said source means, said surge chamber beingpositioned on an intermediate portion of said forming element above saidedges on said forming element, and means establishing communication fromsaid surge chamber to said forming element.

7. An applicator device for applying a covering of putty-like materialto an elongate element which is positioned adjacent a flat or curvedsurface, comprising a forming element adapted to be positioned over aportion of said elongate element with a space therebetween, a surgechamber mounted on said forming element, a source means for urging saidputty-like material into said surge chamber, said surge chamber havingan inlet thereto adapted to receive said putty-like material from saidsource means, said surge chamber having a greater cross-sectional areathan the cross-sectional area of said inlet to said surge chamber, andmeans establishing communication from said surge chamber to said formingelement.

8. An applicator device for applying a covering of putty-like materialto an elongate element which is positioned adjacent a flat or curvedsurface, comprising a forming element adapted to be positioned over aportion of said elongate element with a space therebetween, a surgechamber mounted on said forming element, a source means for urging saidputty-like material into said surge chamber, said surge chamber havingan inlet thereto for receiving said putty-like material from said sourcemeans, said surge chamber being positioned on an intermediate portion ofsaid forming element, said surge chamber having a greatercross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of said inlet to saidsurge chamber, means establishing communication from said surge chamberto said forming element, means for connecting said source means of saidputty-like material under pressure to said inlet to said surge chamberto force said material into said space as said element is movedlongitudinally relative to said elongate element, said forming elementhaving a greater height and width than said elongate element so that amass of said material is applied over said elongate element to cover theportion thereof which is out of contact with said surface, said meansestablishing communication including a hole on each side of said formingelement below the mid-point thereof for directing said putty-likematerial to the sides of said elongate element first whereby thetendency to trap air in pockets is eliminated, and each of said holes onsaid forming element being laterally offset with respect to the axis ofsaid inlet to said surge chamber whereby said material is directed fromsaid inlet into said surge chamber in a direction which is offset fromsaid holes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,185,701 Boyle Jan. 2, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 44,751 France Jan. 14, 1935

